William E. "Berky" Berthiaume, Sr., 90 of 1073 Main St., died MONDAY Feb. 21 at Life Care Center of Auburn.
He was the husband of Rita L. (Lord) Berthiaume who died in 1977. He leaves his son William E. Berthiaume, Jr. of Leicester, five daughters Joanne Gallant and her husband Richard of Whitinsville, Ann Marie Dufries and her husband Gary of Leicester, Judy Berthiaume and her partner Paula Martineau of Leicester, Linda Colby and her husband Wayne of Leicester and Barbara Masuzzo and her husband Mark of Oxford, 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his daughter Marilyn Sullivan in 2000 and his son Lawrence Berthiaume in 2010.
Berky was an assembler at Coppus Engineering in Worcester for 43 years, retiring in 1984.
He was born in Leicester, the son of Rudolph and Mary (Hogan) Berthiaume. He was a graduate of Leicester High School and later served his country with the U.S. Army during WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a former longtime Leicester Little League Coach and also coached St.Joseph's CYC basketball. He was a member of the Cherry Valley American Legion Post 443 and the V.F.W. Post 7556 in Rochdale. An avid golfer, he was a member of Hillcrest Country Club and the "Growler's Golf League". He was a member of the Worcester Lodge of Elks.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Auburn Life Care for their exceptional care given to their father while he was a resident.
The funeral will be held on Friday, Feb. 25 from the MORRISON-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius-St. Jude Church, 489 Pleasant St., Leicester. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Leicester with Military Honors. Calling hours are Thursday from 4 to 7p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to UMASS Memorial Foundation/Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, 01545.